TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s choice to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals is thanking Democrats for supporting his nomination to the bench.

Caleb Stegall, a Republican, says Tuesday he received support from prominent Democrats, including former Attorney General Steve Six and Lawrence attorney Dan Watkins. Six and Stegall have been on opposite sides of abortion litigation.

Stegall was introduced by Brownback during a Statehouse news conference. The Senate will have to confirm his nomination.

Last year the nominating commission passed over Stegall for two vacancies on the Court of Appeals. When lawmakers created a 14th judgeship on the court this year, speculation immediately centered on Stegall as the leading candidate.